Sky Sports F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham is returning to screens after surgery and here we look at her life away from the spotlight
Natalie Pinkham has been a prominent figure in Sky Sports’ Formula 1 coverage for more than a decade, progressing from pit lane reporting to lead presenting roles.
However, the 48-year-old has been absent from television in recent months after being compelled to step back from her presenting duties when doctors warned of possible permanent nerve damage from a disc compressing her spinal cord.
She had major surgery and has recently announced she will be resuming work in time for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka from March 27 to 29. Posting on Instagram, she revealed: “Hi friends. So, it has been a long, and if I’m completely honest, quite difficult five months of rehab since my neck surgery.
“But I’m really happy to say that I have been given the all clear to do long hauls again. My first [race] that I will be presenting for Sky F1 this year is Japan. And I am really happy about that because I bloody love Suzuka, so very excited to see you then,” reports the Mirror.
As she gears up for her F1 comeback, we look at her family circumstances, friendship with late television presenter Caroline Flack and connections to royalty.
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Family life
Born in Buckinghamshire to a barrister mother and property developer father, Natalie isn’t the only well-known figure in her family. Her older brother Sam has previously presented the breakfast programme for Virgin Radio and is a host for Channel 5‘s Holiday Homes In The Sun, whilst also providing cover for Radio 2.
Natalie is married to businessman Owain Walbyoff. The couple became engaged in November 2010 and tied the knot two years later. In January 2015, Natalie welcomed their first child, a son named Wilf, with daughter Willow following in June 2016. Former Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo serves as godfather to Wilf.
She previously spoke candidly to Fabulous magazine about going back to work prematurely following Willow’s arrival. She revealed how she was a “complete mess” and “couldn’t even remember my own name” when she returned to television.
She said: “A lot of make-up was required and I literally just sat there and read an autocue. It was too soon actually. I think we put ourselves under ridiculous pressure.”
Caroline Flack vow
Natalie shared a close friendship with former Love Island presenter Caroline Flack, who tragically took her own life in February 2020 aged 40.
Natalie revealed in a previous interview with the Mirror that she continues to feel the late TV presenter’s presence and approaches life with the motto: “What would Flacky do?” She expressed that it was “important to keep talking about her and to keep her memory alive”. She further stated: “Do I feel her around me? Yeah. I think so. We (Caroline’s friends) have this mantra when we wonder what to do, we say, ‘What would Flacky do?’ And I like to do the same. We all hope and believe that Caroline’s spirit runs through the centre of everything we do.”
Natalie and Caroline initially became acquainted whilst working on the European Poker Tour in 2005. After Caroline’s passing, Natalie and author and television presenter Dawn O’Porter established Flackstock, an annual one-day music festival in her honour to raise funds for mental health charities.
Natalie commented: “A lot of people who didn’t know her, when we talk about how much she laughed and that she loved life, can’t therefore understand why she ended up taking her own life, and I think that’s something that will probably confuse and pain us for the rest of our days.”
Royal pals
In addition to being friends with some of F1’s biggest stars, Natalie also has royal connections and is frequently seen at events with the King’s niece Zara Tindall, including the recent Cheltenham Festival.
The two have been part of the same social group for years and in a previous interview, Natalie praised her friend Zara for being an exceptional mother to her three children.
She remarked: “She’s the most hands-on mother I know. She’s unbelievable, she’s so present for her kids.”
Sky Sports hosts coverage of Formula 1 every race weekend
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